Leighton doesn't have the pedigree and past that Bryzgalov has. So he wouldn't be able to command the same deal. And if the Flyers would win the Cup with Bryzgalov in net, I would assume he would have to play solid Hockey for them to do so. Regardless of if he plays to Conn Smythe level or not.
- MJL

Then it's an unanswerable question. If they win the Cup despite him (a la Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics) then no, it's a bad deal. If they win because he's playing lights-out hockey and steals them a number of games, it's a good deal. I'd be content with the result, but it still can be considered a bad deal.

of course i considered it. i want/wanted him to succeed, but i don't think it's meant to be and it's primarily on him. if we give him a mulligan for yr 1, what do we say about yr 2? ok, he handled more difficult chances? i don't think so and some considered opinion here and elsewhere agrees. many here agree w/ you and i respect that, but i always come back to this- he was brought here to play like a top 3rd goalie and i ask myself if i think that's realistic given what we've seen so far, and i think 'no'. then i look at the contract realities and how he has comported himself and it adds up to a CBO to me. i have no more bias than you...just a different viewpoint.
- isaiah520

You clearly haven't considered it. Every post you make on the Bryzgalov subject coms to the same conclusion. That a buyout is inevitable. I can't recall a single post you've made, stating that it's possible for Bryzgalov to succeed here, and finish out his contract. And that his play can improve in the future, along with the team play in front of him.

Where I come from, and how I approach things. I don't accuse a player, of being an off ice issue, if I don't have the facts to support it. I give the benefit of the doubt. What's more reasonable? Labeling a player as being a problem, when you don't have the info to support it? Or the opposite, giving the benefit of the doubt?
- MJL

Are you saying info as in reported information or solid factual evidence?

Then it's an unanswerable question. If they win the Cup despite him (a la Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics) then no, it's a bad deal. If they win because he's playing lights-out hockey and steals them a number of games, it's a good deal. I'd be content with the result, but it still can be considered a bad deal.
- jmatchett383

It's not inanswerable. So he has to play lights out for the contract to be a good deal? He can't just play solid Hockey, behind a solid team game. That's results in a Championship? The results are what matters. Would you expect a team that just won a Cup to buyout it's starting Goalie?

Are you saying info as in reported information or solid factual evidence?
- jmatchett383

The reported information needs to include solid evidence. Anything else is just hearsay, and second hand information. Majority of the time, as we've seen recently with other players. It turns out to be BS.

It's not inanswerable. So he has to play lights out for the contract to be a good deal? He can't just play solid Hockey, behind a solid team game. That's results in a Championship? The results are what matters. Would you expect a team that just won a Cup to buyout it's starting Goalie?
- MJL

When did I say "lights out?" I said he has to steal some games. There's a difference. Jonathan Quick was lights out last year. Thomas was lights out in 2011. Players like Giguere, Ward, and Osgood stole games, but they weren't lights out throughout the playoffs.

Chicago won a Cup with Niemi. The next season, due to cap issues, he was offer-sheeted to San Jose and Chicago didn't make the necessary roster move to keep their Stanley Cup winning goalie. Different situation, but they still weren't able to keep him. Just because you win with a goalie doesn't mean he's worth any amount of money. Say you win every playoff game 6-5. Does that mean the goalie's worth $5M a year?

The reported information needs to include solid evidence. Anything else is just hearsay, and second hand information. Majority of the time, as we've seen recently with other players. It turns out to be BS.
- MJL

So...let's use the reported "heresay" that Carter had relations with Hartnell's wife. You're saying you'd need video/audio clearly indicating them doing it before giving it any possibility, despite numerous independent sources reporting it?
I'm not saying it happened. I'm just saying that there is a possibility it happened.

I might not believe it happened, in fact I don't. but I can't say it's not a possibility because it's not impossible.

When did I say "lights out?" I said he has to steal some games. There's a difference. Jonathan Quick was lights out last year. Thomas was lights out in 2011. Players like Giguere, Ward, and Osgood stole games, but they weren't lights out throughout the playoffs.

Chicago won a Cup with Niemi. The next season, due to cap issues, he was offer-sheeted to San Jose and Chicago didn't make the necessary roster move to keep their Stanley Cup winning goalie. Different situation, but they still weren't able to keep him. Just because you win with a goalie doesn't mean he's worth any amount of money. Say you win every playoff game 6-5. Does that mean the goalie's worth $5M a year?
- jmatchett383

Read your post at the top of the page. You clearly said lights out. Chicago had cap issues that prevented them from keeping players. The 6-5 game depends. Clearly not much defense being played. If your Goalie kept you from the 8-6 loss you deserved, due to your lack of defnesive play. Then yes, he's worth 5M a year.

So...let's use the reported "heresay" that Carter had relations with Hartnell's wife. You're saying you'd need video/audio clearly indicating them doing it before giving it any possibility, despite numerous independent sources reporting it?
I'm not saying it happened. I'm just saying that there is a possibility it happened.

I might not believe it happened, in fact I don't. but I can't say it's not a possibility because it's not impossible.
- jmatchett383

Yes, absolutely! I'm not going to judge Jeff Carter for alledged disgusting immoral behavior if I don't know that it actually happened! I'm amazed that this has to be explained.

Where I come from, and how I approach things. I don't accuse a player, of being an off ice issue, if I don't have the facts to support it. I give the benefit of the doubt. What's more reasonable? Labeling a player as being a problem, when you don't have the info to support it? Or the opposite, giving the benefit of the doubt?
- MJL

You forgot to preface this "with the exception of Zherdev"

Yes, absolutely! I'm not going to judge Jeff Carter for alledged disgusting immoral behavior if I don't know that it actually happened! I'm amazed that this has to be explained.
- MJL

I'm not saying judge him. I'm open to all things.

For instance, I don't believe in God. However, since I can't prove that God (or some all-powerful being) doesn't exist 100%, I can't say it's not a possibility.

Just because you don't believe something doesn't mean you can't say it's a possibility.

Read your post at the top of the page. You clearly said lights out. Chicago had cap issues that prevented them from keeping players. The 6-5 game depends. Clearly not much defense being played. If your Goalie kept you from the 8-6 loss you deserved, due to your lack of defnesive play. Then yes, he's worth 5M a year.
- MJL

I did, you're right, and I'll admit I was incorrect in what I said.
What I meant was, is he playing the kind of hockey where the team is winning mainly because of his brilliance (Thomas, Quick) or winning because he's playign just well enough to not lose (Luongo, Niemi, Khabibulin)? You say a goalie letting in 5 goals a game instead of 8 makes him worth it. What if he only faces about 6 hard chances per night, and lets in 5 of them because the team is playing at an elite level, but the goalie is not?

I did, you're right, and I'll admit I was incorrect in what I said.
What I meant was, is he playing the kind of hockey where the team is winning mainly because of his brilliance (Thomas, Quick) or winning because he's playign just well enough to not lose (Luongo, Niemi, Khabibulin)? You say a goalie letting in 5 goals a game instead of 8 makes him worth it. What if he only faces about 6 hard chances per night, and lets in 5 of them because the team is playing at an elite level, but the goalie is not?
- jmatchett383

You wont win with that guy just let it go

You wont win with that guy just let it go
- flyerfan28

I suppose. I guess, in the future, unless I know something for sure, I'll have to say it's not possible. Since I can't say for sure that wife isn't cheating on me while I'm at work, it's not possible that she isn't cheating on me. Guess I'll have to go home and get a divorce. (yes, extreme case)

I suppose. I guess, in the future, unless I know something for sure, I'll have to say it's not possible. Since I can't say for sure that wife isn't cheating on me while I'm at work, it's not possible that she isn't cheating on me. Guess I'll have to go home and get a divorce. (yes, extreme case)
- jmatchett383

I get your point.

Then it's an unanswerable question. If they win the Cup despite him (a la Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics) then no, it's a bad deal. If they win because he's playing lights-out hockey and steals them a number of games, it's a good deal. I'd be content with the result, but it still can be considered a bad deal.
- jmatchett383

Mason has a great deal here. Nice job by Holmgren.

This was actually very reasonable and I can agree with a lot of it. Too bad he's made of glass.
- JAKEw1234

Thanks, but how are you going to trade him for Byfuglien then? Cause Laughton alone ain't gonna do it. Either you believe the Doctors that his shoulder is going to be fully healed by Training camp or not. But quite honestly, I'm more worried about Grossman's Concussion than Mez's Shoulder.

Thanks, but how are you going to trade him for Byfuglien then? Cause Laughton alone ain't gonna do it. Either you believe the Doctors that his shoulder is going to be fully healed by Training camp or not. But quite honestly, I'm more worried about Grossman's Concussion than Mez's Shoulder.
- flyler

Set a very low price. I don't think they want Buff that bad there, and I don't think we should want him that badly here. Offer them nothing but Laughton. If they don't accept or come close to that value, then we continue in another direction. The only way we would want him here is if he comes at an incredibly cheap price.

Set a very low price. I don't think they want Buff that bad there, and I don't think we should want him that badly here. Offer them nothing but Laughton. If they don't accept or come close to that value, then we continue in another direction. The only way we would want him here is if he comes at an incredibly cheap price.
- JAKEw1234

I agree with what your saying but why would the Jets deal him away so cheap?

I have to say, I'm now firmly on the buyout Bryzgalov bandwagon. I like the guy, have defended him when I felt necessary, and I still think he can be a good goalie, but I feel it's time to move on.

His performance in net has not been up to the standard needed given the financial and time commitment the team has made to him. He hasn't been awful, but he also hasn't been much better than average, either. The biggest issue is the wild inconsistency he's shown from week to week or month to month.

I understand replacing him is a bit dicey, but I also know that they can make a short term commitment to a new guy to split time with Mason and re-assess next summer.

With the shrinking cap and the new cap recapture penalties, I find it doubtful that Bryzgalov would complete his contract anyhow. Waiting until next summer is risky to me, because if Bryzgalov were to get hurt, the buyout option is off the table. They already have enough dead money/LTIR tied up in Pronger.

Finally, and least importantly, it's my firm opinion that he really doesn't want to be here. I'm not saying that it'll be an issue or that he'll cause trouble. It's more the icing on top of the cake. The primary, really only reasons, are the level of play doesn't meet the level of investment and the potential cap issues moving forward.
- Jsaquella

x2

It's possible that happens. I let Mason play next year. If he's the goods, then sign him to a deal, if he's not you are searching for a goaltender again. Two years of Bryzgalov is enough of a sample to see he's not the answer. Certainly not the answer when you take in account contract, circus sideshow etc.
- PLindbergh31

I would buyout Briere and Bryzgalov.

I still think the King is the best in the league hands down.
- aightwebang17

Agreed.

Thanks, but how are you going to trade him for Byfuglien then? Cause Laughton alone ain't gonna do it. Either you believe the Doctors that his shoulder is going to be fully healed by Training camp or not. But quite honestly, I'm more worried about Grossman's Concussion than Mez's Shoulder.
- flyler

I'm worried about the dark cloud hovering over Mez lately. He couldn't find a way to stay on the ice last year at all and has a rash of injuries lately.

Back surgery, achilles tendon severed, shoulder (twice in one year), all within the past two seasons.

Bad luck or red flag?

Oh ok. He's extremely unprofessional with this type of behavior. Guy is a broadcaster not a drunk fan.
- PLindbergh31

I can see it on a cup winning OT goal. Otherwise. No. Just no.

I'm worried about the dark cloud hovering over Mez lately. He couldn't find a way to stay on the ice last year at all and has a rash of injuries lately.

Back surgery, achilles tendon severed, shoulder (twice in one year), all within the past two seasons.

Bad luck or red flag?
- 77rams

Still adorable.